Forever Marilyn leaves Mag Mile

The sculpture "Forever Marilyn" sits in pieces in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue Tuesday after being dismantled overnight. For more, watch of of Marilyn being deconstructed.

The sculpture "Forever Marilyn" sits in pieces in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue Tuesday after being dismantled overnight. For more, watch of of Marilyn being deconstructed. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)

For Jessica Cardenas, the trip downtown Monday night to watch the dismantling of the controversial Marilyn Monroe statue in Pioneer Court was far more of a pilgrimage than a goodbye for a traveling piece of art.

Cardenas, who created an homage to the blond Hollywood bombshell in her Little Village bathroom, came with her best friend, Clorissa Ordar and Ordar's two young sons to watch work crews remove a statue that she believed was as iconic as the actress herself.

"I love Marilyn Monroe. She's my favorite," squealed an excited Cardenas, who collects pictures and other items of the ill-fated star. "For me, she was a beautiful lady. I love her, I love her acting...there's no other way I can say it. I love her."

Cardenas stood among more than 100 people -- mostly tourists and some media photographers -- who snapped pictures and cell phone video as a crane was lifted to dismantle the 40,000-pound Forever Marilyn sculpture that has towered in Pioneer Court since last fall.

Milwaukee tourists Charles and Leslie Calvert said they weren't surprised by the dozens of onlookers gathered on a foggy evening to see the risque statue boxed up.

A glimpse of the statue, said Charles Calvert, instantly brought back feelings of nostalgia and indelible memories of the star, such as her singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Those gathered had done so "because (the sculpture) is so intriguing," he said. "It has a small landmark appeal."

"That's what I like about Chicago. Statues and cows," said Leslie Calvert, referring to the popular "Cows On Parade" sculptures that also graced the Mag Mile in 1999.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., crews cordoned off an area around the statue that depicts the movie icon attempting to pull down her dress, a scene from the 1955 movie “The Seven Year Itch.”

By 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, only the sculpture's legs and up-blown skirt remained. By 3:30 a.m., just the pedestal she stood on was the only thing left.

Denise Moore of Peoria, who was in town for a business conference, came across the sculpture walking down Michigan Avenue and decided to stop to see what the ruckus was all about.

“I’m glad I caught it before she was taken away,” Moore said. “I had no idea this was her last night.”

Like others who watched the dismantling of Forever Marilyn, Moore said she was surprised to learn the sculpture was being moved to another city.

But Amanda Martin said she’s looking forward to see what piece of art will take her place in Pioneer Court, situated between the Chicago River and Tribune Tower.

“I’m glad they’re keeping the cycle going,” said Martin, who lives in northwest Indiana. “It’s going to be interesting to see what replaces Marilyn.”

For months, tourists have stopped at the court to snap photos with the sculpture designed by American artist Seward Johnson. The sculpture at first created controversy among local critics, who complained about its exposed legs. Later, the sculpture attracted vandals who "tattooed" one of the statue's ankles.

"It is a conversation-starter," said Jenee Castellanos, associate curator of the Sculpture Foundation, which owns Forever Marilyn. "Part of the reason why the artist creates work is for people to think about what they are seeing and what it means to them."

Monday night, Michael Nogosek of North Dakota got the chance to see the sculpture while he was in town on vacation.

“I got to see her just in time. It’s exciting,” he said, though his friends chimed in that the American Gothic statue that Forever Marilyn replaced was the best.

In the meantime, whatever replaces Forever Marilyn is likely to draw tourists to the Magnificent Mile.

With Marilyn Monroe and her upturned skirt finally beating a retreat from Pioneer Court -- she was to be removed late Monday night -- we're eager to see which oversized pop-culture icon will take her place. Seward Johnson, we have some suggestions: -- Mark Caro

.gallery-slideshow-photo { width: auto; height: auto; } Marilyn Monroe, as a 26-foot-tall statue in her famous subway-grate stance from "The Seven Year Itch" pose. Dubbed Forever Marilyn, the sculpture by New Jersey-based artist Seward Johnson has lived in Pioneer Court.

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